Are Online LPAs Legally Valid?

By Matt Cresswell, Founder of Power of Attorney Online and author of
Everything you ever wanted to know about LPAs (but were afraid to ask)

13th July 2026

Are Online LPAs Legally Valid? is understandably one of the first questions you’ll ask. The answer is yes, provided the LPA is created correctly, signed in the required order and successfully registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. An online service doesn’t make an LPA any less valid than one prepared by a solicitor. What matters is that the legal requirements are met.

What makes an LPA legally valid?

It’s easy to assume that paying a solicitor somehow makes an LPA more official.

In reality, that’s not how the law works.

Every LPA follows the same legal process. The person making the LPA must have the mental capacity to do so, choose their attorneys, have the document certified by a certificate provider, arrange for the required signatures in the correct order and submit it for registration.

Once registered, the LPA carries exactly the same legal authority regardless of how it was prepared.

What an online LPA service actually does

An online provider doesn’t create a different type of Power of Attorney.

Instead, it guides you through the official application process.

Rather than completing lengthy forms without support, you’re asked straightforward questions that populate the legal documents for you. Many online services also include checks that help identify common mistakes before the application is printed and signed.

This can reduce the risk of delays or rejection caused by avoidable errors.

Is an online LPA recognised by banks and other organisations?

Yes.

Banks, building societies, healthcare providers and other organisations don’t look at how your LPA was created. They simply need to know that it has been validly registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Once registration is complete, your attorneys can use the LPA in exactly the same way whether it was prepared online, through a solicitor or using paper forms.

Some organisations will carry out their own identity checks before allowing attorneys to act, but this is part of their internal process rather than a reflection of how the LPA was created.

Choosing an online provider carefully

Not all online services offer the same level of support.

If you’re comparing providers, it’s worth looking beyond price. Consider whether the service includes guidance throughout the application, checks for common mistakes and access to expert help if you have questions.

For most people with straightforward circumstances, a good online LPA service like Power of Attorney Online offers an affordable and reliable way to create a legally valid Lasting Power of Attorney.

The important thing isn’t whether you use a solicitor or an online provider. It’s making sure your LPA is completed while you still have capacity, prepared correctly and registered before it’s ever needed.

Written by Matt Cresswell

Matt Cresswell is the Founder of Power of Attorney Online, a service helping people across England and Wales create Lasting Powers of Attorney through guided online support and expert document reviews. He founded the business following his father's diagnosis with dementia, after experiencing first-hand how confusing the LPA process can be for families. Matt's expertise focuses on Lasting Powers of Attorney, planning ahead and helping families prepare for the future before a crisis occurs.